§ MR. CALLANasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether he will have any objection to lay upon the Table of the House the Returns moved for with respect to arrests in the county of Louth and detention in custody of James Kane and five other young men from February 26th to March 7th, bail being refused, on a charge of arson; whether he is aware that Captain Coote, R.M. in dismissing the case, said there was no evidence whatever against them; and, whether he has ordered a prosecution 954 for perjury against Thomas and Bridget Miles, upon whose information the accused parties were arrested?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)In reply to the first Question, I am unable to consent to lay these Papers on the Table. In reply to the second Question, I am not aware whether the magistrate made the observation attributed to him in the Question. In reply to the third Question, I have not directed a prosecution for perjury, nor do I find that the magistrates who heard the case took any step for the prosecution of the Miles's for perjury. If James Kane and the other persons accused of arson, or any of them considered themselves aggrieved by a false charge, they might have applied, or might still apply, for informations against any persons whom they charge with perjury; but, up to the present, I do not find that they have done so.